Workers worse off after two years of Aquino presidency

Joining protests to mark the second year of Pres. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III’s presidency, labor center Kilusang Mayo Uno condemned the president today for making the condition of workers and the poor even worse.

KMU marched with other organizations under umbrella group Bagong Alyansang Makabayan to Mendiola this morning, saying the president is indeed P-NOY: Pahirap, Nanlilinlang, Oo nang oo sa Kano, and Yumuyurak sa karapatan.

“Workers’ wages are more depressed than before, contractual employment is more rampant, and joblessness is more widespread. Workers do not have anything to celebrate after Aquino’s two years in power,” said Elmer “Bong” Labog, KMU chairperson.

“Aquino has even implemented major policies that will further press down the value of the country’s labor. He has been a pest to workers and a blessing for big capitalists,” he added.

KMU cited the Two-tiered Wage System which means a wage cut and wage freeze for workers, the Labor Department’s Order No. 18-A Series of 2011 which legitimizes contractual employment, and the K+12 program in education which will confine the youth to contractual employment.

“He has repeatedly deceived the people in claiming that he is going after Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo for her grave crimes. Two years into his term, Arroyo may post bail to leave her comfortable hospital arrest,” Labog said.

“The Aquino government has failed to seek the conviction and jailing of the former president. It was quick in ousting Chief Justice Renato Corona but excruciatingly slow in going after Arroyo,” he added.

The labor center slammed the president for fast-tracking the return of US bases into the country and for violating human rights.

“Aquino has used China’s assertive statements and actions to try to justify intensified US military intervention in the country. He has also magnified the US’s promise of support to sidetrack the danger to the lives and livelihood of Filipinos and the insult to national sovereignty brought about by greater US military presence,” Labog said.

“He is implementing Oplan Bayanihan, which Arroyo’s Oplan Bantay Laya plus intensified campaign of deception. Militarization in the countryside continues, peace negotiators are being abducted, and even legitimate street protests are being repressed,” he added.

“We vow to hold even bigger protests on the president’s third State of the Nation Address in which we expect him to weave more lies about the country,” he said.